American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
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Least Concern
Wingspan
36.5 cm
Weight
119.33333333333333 g
Family
Falconidae
Order
Falconiformes
About
The American Kestrel is North America's smallest falcon, weighing about 119 g with a 36.5 cm wingspan, with strikingly patterned rufous and slate-blue plumage. It hovers over open fields and roadsides to spot grasshoppers, small rodents, and lizards before diving to strike.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm | 14.4 in |
| Weight | 119.33333333333333 g | 4.21 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 26-32 days. Fledging: 28-31 days.
Clutch Size
1-7
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes (Falcons) |
| Family | Falconidae (Falcons & Caracaras) |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | Falco sparverius |
Distribution
American Kestrel has been recorded in 10 countries.
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Present
Not recorded
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Kestrel endangered?
The American Kestrel has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the American Kestrel nest?
Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 26-32 days. Fledging: 28-31 days.
How big is the American Kestrel?
The American Kestrel has a wingspan of 36.5 cm, weight of 119.33333333333333 g.
What order and family does the American Kestrel belong to?
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) belongs to the order Falconiformes and the family Falconidae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Falconidae family
African Hobby
Falco cuvierii
Least Concern
African Pygmy-falcon
Polihierax semitorquatus
Least Concern
Amur Falcon
Falco amurensis
Least Concern
Aplomado Falcon
Falco femoralis
Least Concern
Australian Hobby
Falco longipennis
Least Concern
Banded Kestrel
Falco zoniventris
Least Concern
Barred Forest-falcon
Micrastur ruficollis
Least Concern
Bat Falcon
Falco rufigularis
Least Concern